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The terrible humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has forced Merz to remind Netanyahu once again that Germany will not sit idly by.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again found a way to anger his closest and most staunch European ally: Germany.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that he will "not approve any exports of military equipment" to Israel until further notice, following Israel's approval to take control of Gaza City.
The actions should come as no surprise in Jerusalem. In recent months, Merz has made it clear that Israel should not rely on Germany's support, which was previously vocal and almost unconditional.
Merz's first warning came in May, as Israel escalated its campaign in Gaza, warning that "the Israeli government should not do anything that its best friends are no longer willing to accept."
A trend is emerging from the Merz government, one that marks a major departure for Germany from an unofficial policy known as Staatsraison, or national interest.
For decades, Germany has stood side by side with Israel, with Germany's dark history of Jewish persecution shaping its modern policy of virtually unquestionable support.
But this latest initiative, as well as the terrible humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, have forced Merz to remind Netanyahu once again that Germany will not sit idly by.
In his statement today, Merz said his government finds it "increasingly difficult" to see how the release of the remaining hostages, a ceasefire and the disarmament of Hamas can be achieved with more fighting.
Jeremy Issacharoff, a former Israeli ambassador to Germany, said that "Israel should be concerned," adding that Germany's actions are "undoubtedly a serious consequence of the government's recent decision to expand military action in Gaza." / CNN
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